Lamp construction

ABSTRACT

A lamp construction comprising a base and a lens having snap fit interconnecting engagement with the base. The base includes an integral tubular projection and a bulb receiving socket is slidingly received in the projection. The socket includes portions that have serrations thereon for frictionally engaging the sides of the projections to hold the socket in the base. Electrical connections are completed by resilient contact that engages the bulb in the base and an integral extension on the socket that provides electrical communication by means of a screw extending therethrough to the exterior of the base.

[ Apr. 2, 1974 3/l967 Fitz Gerald 339/176 L l LAM P CONSTRUCTION v John Smith, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada Primary Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorney, Agent or FirmBarnes, Kisselle, Raisch & Choate I Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited Toronto, Ontario, Canada Nov. 29, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT A lamp construction comprising a base and a lens hav- [22] Filed:

[2l] Appl. No.: 310,250

ing snap fit interconnecting engagement with the base.

[52] us CL 240/7 l R 240/822 339/221 L The base includes an integral tubular projection and a 339/176 bulb receiving socket is slidingly received in the projection. The socket includes portions that have serrations thereon for frictionally engaging the sid [51] Int.

es of the B60q 1/00 240/7.1 R, 8.18, 8.2, 8.22,

58 Field of Search........ 2* 1 projections to hold the socket in the base. Electrical connections are completed by resilient contact that [56] References Cited engages the bulb in the base and an integral extension UNITED STATES PATENTS on the socket that provides electrical communication by means of a screw extending therethrough to the exterior of the base.

Johnson 18 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Mm n m y S Mh s .mu KR 874 561 999 ll] 78 1 LAMP CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to lamp constructions and particularly to lamps for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In clearance lamps and the like for vehicles, it is common to provide a housing defined by a base, a lens, and

one or more bulbs mounted within the lens. The bulbs are supported by a socket and electrical connnections must then be made to the base of the bulb and to the periphery of the socket for completing a circuit to the bulb.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a lamp construction wherein the assembly of the lamp is achieved without the use of complex tools or machinery; wherein the assembly can be made by relatively unskilled labor; which involves low-cost parts and which effectively produces a lamp that will withstand the elements as well as vibration, shock and the like in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The lamp construction embodying the invention comprises a base and a lens having snap fit interconnecting engagement with said base. The base includes an integral tubular projection and a bulb receiving socket is slidingly received in the projection. The socket includes portions that have serrations thereon for frictionally engaging the sides of the projections to hold the socket in the base. Electrical connections are completed by resilient contact that engages the bulb in the base and an integral extension on the socket that provides electrical communication by means ofa screw extending there-through to the exterior of the base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the lamp embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing portions of the lamp construction during assembly.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the lamp shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view as taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, the lamp embodying the invention comprises a base made of plastic such as acrylontrile butadiene styrene, which base is substantially flat and includes a peripheral double flange construction ll defining a groove for receiving the lower end 12 ofa hollow lens 13 of transparent material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate. The end 12 is provided with a bead producing a snap fit engagement with the base.

The base 10 includes an integral tubular extension 15 that is generally triangular in cross section (FIG. 3) and includes two V-shaped corners l6 and a U-shaped corner 17. In addition, the projection 15 includes shoulders 18 that extend along a portion of the inner surface thereof. Finally, a portion 19 of the U-shaped corner 17 is cut away. A socket 20 of suitable conductive material such as brass having a complementary configuration to that of the projection 15 is bent from a single piece of metal and frictionally engages the inner surface of the side walls of the projection 15. Socket 20 includes V- shaped corners 21, and a U-shaped corner 22 that are complementary to the corners 16, 17 of the projection 15. In addition, the socket 20 has a lesser axial extent than the projection 15 and tabs 23 extend axially into engagement with two of the shoulders 18. Legs 24 are integral with and extend from the corners 21 axially and serrations 25, 26 are provided on legs 24 to frictionally engage the inner surface of the upstanding arcuate walls 16a and the corners l6 and define exposed upwardly facing sharp edges such that they prevent the socket 20 from being removed by axial movement upwardly away from the base 10 (FIG. 4).

The socket 20 includes an integral axial extension 27 that extends along wall 29 of the projection 15 and an integral lateral flange 29 that extends along a complementary recess 30 in the base. The flange 28 is formed with an opening 28a which is aligned with an opening 28b so that when a screw 31 is positioned through the aligned openings 28a, 28b, an electrical connection can be made by a nut or other suitable device externally of the base.

The socket 20 includes flanges 32 that are spaced from one another. Corner 22 and the space between the free edges of flanges 32 defines clearances for the lateral contacts 33 of the bulb B. The bulb is inserted and then rotated partially to cause the contacts 33 to engage the edges of the flanges 32. A disc 34 having an electrical contact 35 is yieldingly urged against the base of the bulb by a coil spring 36 interposed between the disc 34 and the base of the projection. A lead wire 37 extends from the contact 35 through an opening 38 in the base 10 to provide a connection for completing a circuit to the bulb.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a lamp construction wherein assembly can be readily made without tools simply by inserting the socket 20 downwardly within the projection 15 and utilizing the screw 31 and contact 35 with associated spring 36, wherein the parts are relatively low in cost, require minimum effort to assemble, and wherein the parts are effectively held such that they will withstand the elements and vibrations and shock in usage.

I claim:

1. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base,

said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom,

a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection,

said projection and said socket being generally noncircular and complementary,

said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb,

a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base,

and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb.

2. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base,

said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom,

a bulbsocket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection,

said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb,

a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base,

and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb,

said socket including an integral electrical connection extending therefrom along the wall of said base,

a screw extending through said projection in extension externally of said base for completing said electrical circuit to said socket.

3. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base,

said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom,

a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection,

said socket and said projection being generally triangular with at least two corners of said triangle being V-shaped and being in complementary relation to one another, the sides being generally arcuate,

said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb,

a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base,

and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb.

4. ln a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base,

said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom,

a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection,

said projection and said socket being generally polygonal in transverse cross section,

the portions of said socket and said projection at said corners of said polygon being complementary,

said serrations being on said corner portions of said socket,

said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb,

a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base,

and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said socket has a lesser axial length than said projection.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said socket includes integral legs extending axially beyond the length of said socket,

said serrations being on said legs.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said projection and said socket include interengaging shoulders.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said interengaging shoulders are positioned intermediate the corners of said socket.

9. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base,

said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom,

a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection,

said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb,,

a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base, i

and means forming an electrical connection between said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb,

said projection and said socket are generally polygonal in transverse cross section,

the portions of said socket and said projection at said corners of said polygon being complementary,

said serrations being on said comer portions of said socket,

said serrations extending in a direction to resist removal of said socket from said projection.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said socket has a lesser axial length than said projection.

11. The combination set forth in claim, 10 wherein said socket includes integral legs extending axially beyond the length of said socket,

said serrations being on said legs.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein said projection and said socket include interengaging shoulders.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said interengaging shoulders are positioned intermediate the corners of said socket.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said socket includes an integral electrical connection extending therefrom along the wall of said base.

15. The combination set forth in claim 14 including a screw extending through said projection in extension externally of said base for completing said electrical circuit to said socket.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said socket and said projection are generally triangular with two of the corners of said triangle extending sharply and being in complementary relation to one another, the sides being generally arcuate.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said socket is made of a single piece of conductive material,

one of said corners being generally U-shaped in cross section, while the others are generally triangular in cross section.

18. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base,

said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom,

a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection,

said socket being polygonal and made of a single piece of conductive material,

6 one of said corners being generally U-shaped in cross socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom section, while the others are generally V-shaped in externally of Said base cross section, 1

. i and means forming an electrical connection to said said socket having portions thereof for interengagmg a bulb 5 socket to complete a circuit to said bulb.

a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said 

1. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base, said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom, a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection, said projection and said socket being generally non-circular and complementary, said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb, a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base, and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb.
 2. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base, said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom, a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection, said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb, a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base, and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb, said socket including an integral electrical connection extending therefrom along the wall of said base, a screw extending through said projection in extension externally of said base for completing said electrical circuit to said socket.
 3. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base, said base including an integraL generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom, a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection, said socket and said projection being generally triangular with at least two corners of said triangle being V-shaped and being in complementary relation to one another, the sides being generally arcuate, said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb, a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base, and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb.
 4. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base, said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom, a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection, said projection and said socket being generally polygonal in transverse cross section, the portions of said socket and said projection at said corners of said polygon being complementary, said serrations being on said corner portions of said socket, said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb, a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base, and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said socket has a lesser axial length than said projection.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said socket includes integral legs extending axially beyond the length of said socket, said serrations being on said legs.
 7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said projection and said socket include interengaging shoulders.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said interengaging shoulders are positioned intermediate the corners of said socket.
 9. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base, said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom, a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection, said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb,, a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base, and means forming an electrical connection between said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb, said projection and said socket are generally polygonal in transverse cross section, the portions of said socket and said projection at said corners of said polygon being complementary, said serrations being on said corner portions of said socket, said serrations extending in a direction to resist removal of said socket from said projection.
 10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said socket has a lesser axial length than said projection.
 11. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said socket includes integral legs extending axially beyond the length of said socket, said serrations being on said legs.
 12. The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein said projection and said socket include interengaging shoulders.
 13. The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said interengaging shoulders are positioned intermediate the corners of said socket.
 14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said socket includes an integral electrical connection extending therefrom along the wall of said base.
 15. The combination set forth in claim 14 including a screw extending through said projection in extension externally of said base for completing said electrical circuit to said socket.
 16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said socket and said projecTion are generally triangular with two of the corners of said triangle extending sharply and being in complementary relation to one another, the sides being generally arcuate.
 17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said socket is made of a single piece of conductive material, one of said corners being generally U-shaped in cross section, while the others are generally triangular in cross section.
 18. In a lamp construction, the combination comprising a base, said base including an integral generally tubular projection extending outwardly therefrom, a bulb socket slidingly received in said projection and having integral serrations engaging the side walls of said projection, said socket being polygonal and made of a single piece of conductive material, one of said corners being generally U-shaped in cross section, while the others are generally V-shaped in cross section, said socket having portions thereof for interengaging a bulb, a contact yieldingly positioned in the base of said socket and a lead extending outwardly therefrom externally of said base, and means forming an electrical connection to said socket to complete a circuit to said bulb. 